Water&#39;s edge holding device



Nov. 26, 1963 1.. M. SUMMERS WATERS EDGE HOLDING DEVICE Filed March 5, 1962 R O T N E V m United States Patent 3,111,693 WATERS EDGE HQLDHNG DEVHJE Lionel 1V. Summers, 3713 Alton Place NW., Washington, DJC. Filed Mar. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 177,303 3 Claims. (6!. 9-8) The invention relates to a device for holding articles at the edge of the water, as on a beach or the like.

Many beaches are rocky, and swimmers want to wear protective shoes right to the waters edge or even into the water. However, the problem then arises of how the loss of the shoes can be prevented, especially if the tide rises while the wearer is swimming, or if the waves are hi h.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device by which such loss can be prevented, and by which the shoes or other articles will be readily located and quickly available to the swimmer when he comes out of the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which is compact and easy to carry.

In general, the invention contemplates a hollow body of a material lighter than water, acting as a float, having a flexible member attached thereto with a weight at its free end, and at least one holding device or clip secured to the hollow body, and preferably to the flexible member, for gripping objects. The hollow body has a space therein large enough to contain the flexible member, clips and weight means to close the entrance to the space so that, when not in use, these parts can all be packed and held within the hollow body in a compact fashion for ease of carrying.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in cross-section the device embodying the invention in packed condition;

FIG. 2 is a top plan "view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device when in use.

The device includes a body 2 of material lighter than water, such as wood or plastic foam. The block 2 has a recess or hollow 4 opening in one longitudinal side. The opening can be closed by a door 6 hinged at 8 at one end, while the other end can be held in closed position by a fastener 10 such as a hook and eyelet.

Connected at one end to the bottom of the hollow 4 is a chain 12, to the other end of which is connected a weight 14. Side chains 16 branch 01f the chain '12, and have at their ends hook clips or, holding members 18, by which articles such as beach shoes 20 can be held. The block also has a suitable handle by which it can be carried, such as an eye 22.

The chains, weight and clips are of such dimensions 3,1 1 L693 Eatented Nov. 26, 1963 'ice that they will all fit into the hollow 4. Thus, when not in use, the door 6 is held shut and the device is readily carried by handle 22.

Upon reaching the water, the user unhooks the hook it), clips his shoes or other articles to clips 16, and drops the device into the water where it will assume the position shown in FIG. 3. When he is ready to leave the water, he can locate the arrangement by float 2, whereas weight 14 prevents the device from floating out away from the shore.

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim:

1. A waters edge holding device comprising a solid block of material lighter than water having a recess there: in opening in one side thereof, releasable means for closing the opening of a recess, a flexible member connected to the block at one end and having a weight connected to the other end, and a holding member connected to the block, the point of connection of said flexible member and said hoiding member to the block lying within said recess, said recess being large enough to contain said flexible member, said holding member and said weight, said flexible member, holding member and weight being positionable within the recess when the closing means is closed.

2. A waters edge holding device comprising a solid block of material lighter than water having a recess therein opening in one side thereof, releasable means for closing the opening of a recess, a flexible member connected to the block at the inside of the recess, and having a weight attached thereto, and a holding member connected to the flexible member, said recess being large enough to contain said flexible member, said holding member and said Weight, said flexible member, holding member and weight being positionable within the recess when the closing means is closed.

3. A waters edge holding device comprising a solid block of material lighter than water having a recess therein opening in one side thereof, releasable means for closing the opening of a recess, a flexible member connected to the block at the inside of the recess, and having a weight attached thereto, flexible parts connected to said flexible member, and holding members connected to said flexible parts, said recess being large enough to contain said flexible member, said flexible parts, said holding members and said weight, said flexible member, flexible parts, holding member and weight being positionable within the recess when the closing means is closed.

Swyers Oct. 23, 1951 Zasada Sept. 15, 1959 

1. A WATER''S EDGE HOLDING DEVICE COMPRISING A SOLID BLOCK OF MATERIAL LIGHTER THAN WATER HAVING A RECESS THEREIN OPENING IN ONE SIDE THEREOF, RELEASABLE MEANS FOR CLOSING THE OPENING OF A RECESS, A FLEXIBLE MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE BLOCK AT ONE END AND HAVING A WEIGHT CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END, AND A HOLDING MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE BLOCK, THE POINT OF CONNECTION OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER AND SAID HOLDING MEMBER TO THE BLOCK LYING WITHIN SAID RECESS, SAID RECESS BEING LARGE ENOUGH TO CONTAIN SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER, SAID HOLDING MEMBER AND SAID WEIGHT, SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBER, HOLDING MEMBER AND WEIGHT BEING POSITIONABLE WITHIN THE RECESS WHEN THE CLOSING MEANS IS CLOSED. 